CASE REPORT
The relationship between manganism and the workplace environment in China
More details
Hide details
1
Chongqing Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
2
Department of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
3
Department of Genetics, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
4
Chongqing Enter Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, Chongqing, China
5
Department of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2012;25(4):501-5
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Manganese is a trace element and a cofactor of many enzymes, so it is essential for physiologic functioning, but it is also a neurotoxin at high doses. Manganism is most often caused by occupational exposure. It is manifested by a myriad of signs and symptoms ranging from the neurasthenia syndrome, such as headache and dizziness, to the Parkinson-like syndrome, depending on the blood manganese levels as well as the duration of exposure. We are reporting a case of manganism using both clinical and occupational hygiene investigation methods. The patient presented the neurasthenia syndrome accompanied by hypertonicity of arm muscles and was diagnosed to have mild chronic manganism. Finally, the patient was discharged from the hospital after the treatment had improved her condition. In China, there are many chronic manga nese cases, partly due to a rapid industrial development with great use of Mn and the low self-protection awareness among the workers and the factories management that cannot catch up with the speed of the economical development. Therefore, factories are responsible for improving the conditions at the workplace.